"Add vibrant Ember Tetras to your aquarium! These small, fiery fish bring a splash of color and lively behavior, perfect for community tanks and aquascapes."

Overview: The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is a stunning freshwater fish known for its vibrant orange-red coloration and small size. Native to the slow-moving rivers and tributaries of Brazil, Ember Tetras are popular among aquarists for their lively behavior and ease of care. These peaceful fish make a great addition to community tanks and are particularly well-suited for nano aquariums and planted tanks.

Appearance:

• Coloration: Ember Tetras are renowned for their bright, fiery orange to red hues, which can vary slightly depending on diet and lighting conditions.
• Body Shape: They have a typical tetra body shape—slender and streamlined with a slightly rounded caudal fin.
• Size: These tetras are small, growing to about 0.8 inches (2 cm) in length.

Water Conditions: To ensure the health and vibrancy of Ember Tetras, maintain the following water conditions:

• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C).
• pH Range: 5.5-7.0.
• Water Hardness: 5-15 dGH.
• Tank Size: A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended for a small school. Larger tanks are preferable for better water stability and to accommodate a larger group.

Tank Setup: Creating an ideal habitat for your Ember Tetras involves several considerations:

• Substrate: Use fine gravel or sand to mimic their natural riverbed environment.
• Decor: Include plenty of live plants such as Java moss, Anubias, and Amazon swords to provide hiding spots and create a naturalistic setting. Driftwood and rocks can also be added for additional structure.
• Filtration: Use a gentle filter, as strong currents can stress these small fish. Sponge filters or hang-on-back filters with adjustable flow are ideal for maintaining water quality without creating excessive water movement.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is sufficient to highlight the vibrant colors of the fish and support plant growth.

Tank Mates: Ember Tetras are peaceful and can coexist with other similarly peaceful fish. Choose tank mates carefully:

• Compatible Species: Other small, peaceful fish such as small tetras, rasboras, dwarf corydoras, and small livebearers. Shrimp and snails are also suitable tank mates.
• Incompatible Species: Avoid larger, aggressive fish or fin-nippers like barbs and cichlids that can harass or harm Ember Tetras.

Feeding Habit: Ember Tetras are omnivores with a preference for a varied diet. Providing a balanced diet is crucial to keep them healthy and vibrant:

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food or micro pellets designed for small fish.
• Supplements: Offer live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms to enhance their coloration and health.
• Vegetables: Occasionally provide blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed them 1-2 times a day in small portions to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Care and Maintenance: Regular care and maintenance are crucial for the well-being of your Ember Tetras:

• Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 20-30% to keep water parameters stable and reduce waste buildup.
• Health Monitoring: Watch for signs of common fish diseases such as fin rot, ich, and parasitic infections. Early detection and treatment are vital.
• Behavioral Observation: Observe their behavior regularly. Healthy Ember Tetras are active, schooling together, and displaying vibrant coloration.

Breeding: Breeding Ember Tetras can be a rewarding experience:

• Pair Selection: Choose healthy and vibrant individuals to enhance breeding success. Males are typically more colorful and slender compared to the rounder females.
• Spawning Environment: Set up a separate breeding tank with soft, acidic water (pH around 6.0) and a temperature of 78-80°F (25-27°C). Include fine-leaved plants or spawning mops for egg-laying.
• Spawning Process: Condition the breeding pair with high-quality live or frozen foods. Once eggs are laid, remove the adults to prevent them from eating the eggs.
• Fry Care: The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours. Feed the fry infusoria or commercially available liquid fry food until they are large enough to eat micro worms or finely crushed flake food.